Vaishnavi MOpen truck, container truck or trailer truck? Choose an open truck for bulky cargo such as steel, timber and machinery, a container truck for goods that must stay dry and locked, and a trailer truck for heavy or long-haul loads up to 35 tons. This guide compares size, payload and best use for each.
Open Truck
An open truck, also called a flatbed truck, features “an open, flat-bed trailer attached to the back with or without the side walls and tail gate and is open on the top.” Payload depends on the size: about 6–10 tons at 19 ft, 7–9 tons at 32 ft SXL and 15–18 tons at 32 ft MXL (see our truck size guide). These vehicles transport goods unaffected by weather conditions.
Trucks Dominating This Segment:
Eicher: 14 Feet, 17 Feet, 19 Feet, 20/24/26 Feet, 32 Feet SXL, 32 Feet MXL
Applications Suitable:
- Construction items like steel beams, lumber, and concrete blocks
- Bulky items such as trees and bushes
- Special events: stages, chairs, and lighting for concerts and festivals
Container Truck
A container truck is “closed from all sides which provides a weather-proof environment for the goods being transported, protecting them from wind, rain and other weather conditions.” Container sizes typically include 14-foot and 40-foot lengths, with payload from 1,050 kg (Tata Ace) and 5 tons (Tata 407) up to 15–18 tons (32 ft MXL).
Trucks Dominating This Segment:
- Tata Motors: Tata Ace, Tata 407, 19 Feet, 20/24/26 Feet, 32 Feet SXL, 32 Feet MXL
- Ashok Leyland: Same sizes available
Applications Suitable:
- Retail and manufacturing
- Agriculture products
- Home appliances
- Textiles
Trailer Truck
A trailer truck is equipped with “a large, flat-bed trailer attached to the back” and “is made in two or more sections which are joined together by metal bars, so that the vehicle can turn more easily.” Maximum carrying capacity reaches 35 tons. These vehicles handle long-distance hauling.
Two Categories:
1. Trailer Container: Transports shipping containers (20–40 ft) for ship/train transport across the country and internationally.
2. Flatbed Trailer: Has no sides or roof; cargo placed directly on the flatbed surface.
Trucks Dominating This Segment:
- Ashok Leyland: 24 Feet, 40 Feet, 45 Feet, 48 Feet, 53 Feet Trailer
- Bharat Benz: Same sizes available
Trailer Container Applications:
- Textiles
- Frozen products
- Liquids freight
- Military applications
- Pharmaceuticals
- Renewable energy equipment
- Telecommunications equipment
- Power generators
Flatbed Trailer Applications:
- Steel applications
- Aluminum rolls
- Automobiles
- Excavators
- Bulldozers
- Cranes
- Tractors
- Harvesters
Trailer Truck Types: Container Trailer and Flatbed Trailer
A trailer is a separate unit that a tractor unit pulls and can be detached. Trailers take heavier loads, up to 35 tons, and suit long-distance hauling.
| Trailer Type | Body | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Container Trailer | Enclosed container carried on the trailer | Goods that must stay dry and locked over long distances |
| Flatbed Trailer | Open, flat deck with no walls or roof | Heavy, long or oversized cargo such as steel and machinery |
Comparison Table
| Truck Type | Sizes | Payload | Dominating Companies | Suitable Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Truck | 14 ft to 32 ft | About 6–10 tons (19 ft), 7–9 tons (32 ft SXL), 15–18 tons (32 ft MXL) | Eicher (14 Ft, 17 Ft, 19 Ft, 20/24/26 Ft, 32 Ft SXL, 32 Ft MXL) | Construction materials, lumber, bulky items, special events equipment |
| Container Trucks | 14 ft to 32 ft | 1,050 kg (Tata Ace), 5 tons (Tata 407), up to 15–18 tons (32 ft MXL) | Tata Motors (Ace, 407, 19–32 Ft), Ashok Leyland (same sizes) | Retail, manufacturing, agriculture, appliances, textiles |
| Trailer Trucks | 24 ft to 53 ft | Up to 35 tons | Ashok Leyland, Bharat Benz (24–53 Ft) | Textiles, frozen products, liquids, pharmaceuticals, steel, automobiles, heavy machinery |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose by cargo, not by brand. Pick an open truck for steel, timber, machinery and other bulky items that can take weather. Pick a container truck for retail goods, appliances and textiles that must stay dry and locked. Pick a trailer truck for heavy loads and long-distance hauls up to 35 tons. For current trip rates by truck size, see our truck price in India guide.
Check truck rates at fr8.in or FR8 truck booking app.